Mould Back on Track

Most know Jon Mould for his outstanding number of victories in the UK based Tour Series, in 2016 the rider won six of the ten rounds and now holds the record for the most wins in the series. The Welshman has big aims for 2018 and they start on Australia’s Gold Coast.

After the long summer of success, and title of first British rider to claim a UCI win there was no time for the Newport based rider to take his foot off the gas. He swapped eleven gears for one and took to the track with Ed Clancy and focused on building up to Commonwealth Games selection.

His journey to the games began two years ago in 2016 when the duo of Clancy and Mould won the UK Revolution Series. The pair won the first two rounds ensuring they had a strong enough lead to wrap up the UK series by the start of November 2016.

In the winter of 2017 Mould added more international racing to his calendar and topped the World Cup standings in the Scratch event. He won a silver medal in the World Cup round in Manchester in a dramatic race in front of the home crowd.

Proven Track Record

A multiple track champion and a bunch race specialist, Mould has represented Wales before at the Commonwealth Games but took time out from the track following the 2014 Games in Glasgow.

“The Commies are a massive aim for me, I had a good year in 2014, but I was ill just before racing and it didn’t go to plan at all. This time I really want to win a medal for Wales.”

The first step for the twenty-six year old is make a transition back to world level track. “I’m rode for Wales’ trade team in the World Cups in 2016 and 2017, to gain some experience and get back to racing at a high level ready for Commonwealth Games.”

“I took part in the World Cup which was hosted in Glasgow velodrome earlier in the month. I’ll be racing again for Wales/Team USN at the LA World Cup in February ’17 after spending the winter down under with JLT Condor.”

“At the end of the year in 2017 I rode the Revolution with Ed and World Cup rounds in Manchester, Minsk, Canada and Chile. “

[Wales is recognised as part of Great Britain. With a cap on the number of riders one nation can enter into UCI Track World Cup events, Welsh Cycling has entered a trade team to the series known as Team USN/Team USN to ensure Welsh riders can compete.]

We caught up with him to find out more about Mouldy and track cycling.

Team: How old were you when you first rode at a velodrome?
JM: I started riding a bike when I was 14 at the velodrome, it’s the reason I ride a bike now. I went to a Saturday morning track session with Newport Velo and have never looked back. Living in Newport has its benefits because without the velodrome I wouldn’t be racing now.

Team: What is your favourite event?
JM: Under 23 Gent Six. I was 19 and 20, it was a brilliant experience racing before the pro races were on. We raced flat out. Doing down right crazy moves against twelve other ultra keen Under 23’s. We were taking as many risks as we could!

Team: Top tip for going faster?
JM: A proper warm up is really important, the races aren’t very long so you need to be on it from the start. Fast wheels are the best way of going fast, disc wheels with tubular tyres.

Team: What’s your favourite discipline on the track?
JM: Any of the bunch races, so it’s hard to choose a downright favourite. Madison has so much going on so you can’t make one mistake. To be honest, I just love racing properly on the track in any of the bunch races! They’re good when you’re going well and can be awful if your form isn’t good!

Team: Favourite moment on the track?
JM: Winning European Junior Madison way back in 2009, we were the only team to take a lap and got it after being away for around 40 laps. Winning Bronze in 2013 Manchester World Cup Scratch race is another one, especially in front of a home crowd!

See ‘Mouldy’ back in action representing Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Saturday 7th April 2018.

Mould’s teammates Ian Bibby, Tom Stewart and Ollie Wood have been selected to ride for Team England at the Commonwealth Games.

About JLT Condor

JLT Condor is a British based UCI Continental cycling team. The team have been supported by JLT, one of the world's largest specialist insurance brokers since 2013. The team will compete in an international racing programme with a focus on developing young rider talent.

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